Button-machine.



J l. W. MILLER..

BUTTN 11101111111 APPLIUATIOII FILED LI. 12,-1006.

9475995., Panama 110111,1910.`

witness@ J. w. MILLER. BUTTON MACHINE. Alf'LIOATIOI` FILED APR. 12, 1906.

Ptented Feb. l, 1910.

J. w. MILL-BR., BUTTON MACHINE. APPLIOATIOH IvILED APR. 12, 1906.

Patented Feb. 1,1910.

Je SHEETS-BREEZE 3.-

J. W. MILLER' BUTTON MACHINE.

.. APPLIOA-TIOH FILED APB. 12, 1906.

o n l I manned Fem 1, 1910.

HEETB-BHEET 4.

, @mib/woon iinrran STATES- Pl/riinar. onirica JOHN W. MILLER, OF MUSCA'IINE, IOWA, ASSIGNOR T0 THE IVIGKEE AND JBLIITEII BUTTON' COMPANY, 0F MUSCTINE, IOWA, A PARTNERSHIP.

BUTTON-MACHINE.

ananas.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application med April ia, 190e, serial no. 311,345.

To all whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. MILLER, of Muscatine, in the county oflVIuscatine and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Button-Machines; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention isan improvement in machines for cutting blanks from fragile material by means of tubular saws; being particularly designed for use in shell pearl-button making to facilitate' the sawing out of disks or button blanks from the pearl or mussel shells, and to do away with the necessity for the workman holding the shell by hand or with tongs, as is now ordinarily done, by providing mechanism by which the shells can beheld during the cutting operation, the operator merely having to position the shell on the holder preparatory to-'the sawing of a blank from the shell; and after each blank is cut he can shift the shell so that an uncut portion thereof will be presented to the saw.

'Ihe principal objects of the invention are to provide an improved shell-holder by which the shell is properly held and presented to the saw during the cutting operation. Second, to provide a shell-holder which will automatically adjust itself to the variations in size and curvatures of the shell, and hold the same positively and securely during the cutting operations whether it be thick or thin, regular or irregular in contour, so that the pearl face of the shell will be presented flat' to the saw, am the cutA blanks will have their edges perpendicular to the pearl face, notwithstanding irregularity or unevenness of the shell; and when such blanks are reduced to proper thickness they will be perfect, instead of being beveled or slanted on the edges, 'as are so many hand-cut blanks, and which defect greatly lessens the value of the blanks and sometimes renders them worthless.

Further objects of the invention are third-to provide a shell-holder in which the shell can be placed, adjusted, and removed, with greatest ease; fourth-to cause the saw to operate on the shell held by such holder with precision and certainty, yet without undue pressure; fth-to enable the shellholder and saw to travel together during the cutting operation; and sixth-to arrange a number of holders and relative cutters 1n an endless series, and cause the whole series to` travel, preferably continuously, so that each holder will be brought up to the operator in its turn, can have a shell properly located thereon, and then move on during the cutting operation, while the other holders are similarly manipulated in succession; thus enabling one operator to attend to a number of blank-holders and cutters without losing any time during the cutting operations, which are-performed automatically by the machine during the travel of the holders and cutters.

Still further objects of the invention are seventhto provide means for supplying water to the interior of the tubular saws during the cutting operations, thereby facilitating the cutting operation, preserving the temper of the saws, and prolonging their usefulness. Eighth-to provide means for ej ecting the cut blanks from the saws at the proper point, the waterrsupplying devices being preferably used as part of the means Patented ren.. i, rato..

vide means for automatically detaching the saws, when it becomes desirable to replace them.

The invention will be clearly understood from the following description of the machine illustrated in the drawings, which has a number of duplicate sets of 'shell holding and cutting devices arranged to move in an endless path; but it should be understood that the invention is not restricted to any particular number of such mechanisms; and

many of the substantial novel features of the invention could be usefully employed in a machine operating on but one shell at a time; and in various constructions of machines; and I therefore refer to the several claims for concise summaries of the essential features, parts, and combinations of elements, which are embraced in the invention, and for which protection is desired herein. Furthermore, while I have referred more particularly to shells as the objects operated upon, the invention is not restricted to use with shells, and such term is used merely for convenience in explanation, and not as limiting the invention.

In the drawingsFigure 1 is a sectional elevation of a lcomplete machine. Fig.l 2 is an enlarged view of the self-adjusting shell support and lower part of clamp. Fig. l jacent the cylinder, so that if the cylinder is 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the self-adjusting member of the shell clamp.'

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional elevation of one of the cutting mechanisms showing it in shell receiving position in full lines, and in cutting position, in dotted lines. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the cutting mechanism. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the machine. Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the self-adjusting or bearing member of the shell-holder, and its supports. Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic. view illustrating the cutting operations .and the controlling cams.

Fig. 10 is a detail View illustrating the saw ejecting operation. Y

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the machine has a central shaft l, which is preferably arranged in a vertical position and has its lower end supported in a step-bearing la in the lower spider or plate 1b of the main-frame, and its upper part journaled in a bearing lc in the upper spider or plate 1d of the main-frame, said spiders l", 1d, being rigidlyl connected by vertical rods ile as shown, although the particular construction of the frame-work of the machine is not a material feature of the invention.

The shaft l can be rotated at a Slow speed by suitable gearing. As shown a worin-gear lt on shaft l meshes with a worin 1h on a counter-shaft lg suitably journaled and supported on the main-frame, and provided with a pulley li which can be belted to any suitable driver, not shown. On this shaft 1 between the bearings are Xedly secured a lower disk or plate 3, and an upperdisk or plate 4, upon and between which disks the several sets of blank-cutting devices are mounted. These blank cutting devices are all similar in construction and a detailed eX- planation of one, applies to all, similar parts being similarly numbered in the drawings. Extending vertically7 between and through the disks 3, 4, is a longitudinally movable rod 5, the lower partof which is confined in a sleeve or guide 3"l on disk 3, while its upper end is guided in a vertically adjustable sleeve 4a, tapped into an opening in disk 4.- the rod 5 being free to move vertically through the disks.

Attached to rod 5 just above disk 3, is a bracket 6 which has an inwardly projecting portion 6a, provided -with a vertical slot loosely embracing a vertical guide-pin 3b, beside and parallel with rod 5, to prevent the bracket 6 swinging or turning laterally.' Bracket 6 projects beyond the periphery7 of disk 3, and is provided with an opening 6", in which is hung a short cylinder7, preferably by means of radially projecting pins 7 a,

- carrying friction rollers 7", engaging inclined cam-slots 6d .in the walls of bracket 6 adturned in one direction, the rollers will ride up on the cam-slots and lift the cylinder, and if turned in the other direction they will ride down and lower the cylinder 7. The 'cylinder may be readily turned, by means of a handle 7, oi any other desired means may be used.

The cylinder 7 supports the self-adjusting bearing member 8 of the shell-holder, which member has a parti-globular or conical ,head 8a slightly larger in diameter than the bore of the cylinder, and a depending stem 8", smaller than the bore of the cylinder, so that when the bearing member is placed within the cylinder, as shown in Fig. 2, it can oscillate in any direction, owing to the curvature of its head, which practically forms a balland-.socket joint with the upper end of the cylinder and allows the bearing member to have an almost universal motion, or tilt in any direction. To facilitate this self-adiusting tilting function of the bearing member, l preferably provide'antifriction ball-bearings 7" at the upper end of cylinder 7, and bearing against and sustaining the head of the bearing member as shown in Figs. 2 and 8. These balls 7e may be confined in position (while free to rotate) by a ring 7, as

` shown.

The bearing member is hollow, and a plug 8e of wood or other suitable material is placed therein, to form a non-metallic contact surface opposed to the saw, hereinafter referred to; this plug can be pushed out, as worn, by means of a follower 8f, actuated by .a screw 8g tapped through the lower end of the shank of the bearing-member, as shown.

Upon the rod 5, above bracket 6, is a loose sleeve 9, which is provided with an inwardly extending arm 9 having a slot engaging the guide-3b, to prevent the sleeve turning on the rod 5, or relatively to the bracket 6; and sleeve 9 has an outwardly extending arm 9b provided with an opening surrounded on its lower side by a depending tubular clamp -member 9, which is preferably ratchet-toothed on its lower edge as at 9, and isadapted to bear upon the top surface of a shell S, or other piece of material, inserted between the clamp-member 9, and bearing member 8, as shown in Fig. 4.

The sleeve 9, and attached parts are moved toward bracket 6 by gravity which may be supplemented by a helical spring 5e strung on rod 5 between the upper end of sleeve 9 and the lower end of the adjustable sleevenut 4a, the pressure of the spring being regulable by turning the sleeve-nut 43.

The sleeve may be raised on rod 5, when 'nana link 91 to the sleeve, as indicated in lig. L1,

so that when the handlever is oscillated by a ull on its hand-piece the sleeve will be raised and the clamping-member 9 will be separated from the bearing-member 8a.

When the clamp 9c is separated from the bearing-member 8, a shell S can be easily placed on or removed from the bearingmember, or can be shifted thereon to suit the will of the operator; and when a shell is properly adjusted on the bearing-member, the sleeve 9 is lowered so as to cause clamp 9 to bite the shell against the bearing-member, and if there is any linequality in the surfaces of the shell, the bearingmember tilts or oscillatesso that the clam gets ajrm bite on the shell, and holds 1t securely, by reason of the weight of the sleeve 9 and the pressure of spring 5e. -After a shell is thus clamped, it is ready to be operated on by the cutter, which is brought into contact with the shell by introducing it through the hollow clamp. ln the machine shown the holder is bodily moved so as to present the shellto the tubular saw or cutter, bymoving rod 5, (which carries 'all parts of the clamp), longitudinally- (rais ing it vertically in the specific arrangement of parts shown 1n the drawings.) rllhis movement of the rod and holder being aecomplished by means of a cam-plate or ring 5d, arranged beneath the disk 3, and in and along the path circumscribed by the lower end of rod 5 as it is moved by the rotating disks 3 and et; said rod 5 having a friction roller 5 on its lower end bearing on the cam or track 5d. rlhis track 5d has a cam part 5f adapted to move the rod upward so as to gradually but steadily present the shell held by the holder to the saw, and cause the latter to cleanly cut the blank therefrom; then it has a declining portion 5g which permits the holder to descend clear of the saw, (by gravity and the action of the spring 5e). 'llhe cam-track need only eX- tend along so much of the path traversed by the holders as is necessary to secure the proper presentation of the shells to the cut tenthe holder remaining in its lowermost position during the remainder of its orbital movement, during which time it passes the point where the operator can adjust the shell for another cut, or remove it and re place a new shell in the holder.

Axially in line with, and opposite each shell-holder, is a rotatable cutting device,

tit)

comprising a tubular saw, a rotatable spindle carrying the saw, and means for rotating and adjusting the saw. As shown the tubular saw 10 see lFig. 6 is preferably tapered o its upper end,v as at 101 to wedge into the v lower internally tapered end 11u of a socket piece(11b screwed into the lower end of a tubular` spindle 11, which is rotatably journailed 1n a sleeve 1.2 secured in a tubular housing 13 attached to the upper disk Zl, and through slots in which disk the spindle and sleeve depend, as shown.

The housing 13 is provided with laterally projecting slotted ears 13a, transtixed by bolts 13h tapped into disk Ll, so as to secure the cutting devices in position thereon. rlFhe spindle 11 has a collar 11d on its lower end bearing against the lower end of the inclosing sleeve 12, and on its upper lend is fastened a small pinion 11e by means of a set-screw 11, or other convenient device, so that the spindle has no longitudinal play in the sleeve, although free to rotate therein.

'llhe lower part of sleeve 12, is exteriorly coarsely threaded as at 12, and a hand-nut 12b is run thereon; this nut rests upon a hanger or bracket 41 attached to the underside of disk 4c, so as to uphold the sleeve and spindle, and by rotating hand-nut 12b, the sleeve, spindle, saw and pinion are vertically adjusted so as to position the saw 10 properly above the shell-holder, and also to co1npensate for wear on the saw.

The pinion 11e meshes'with a master-gear 14;, loosely journaled on shaft 1 above disk 4 as shown, said master-gear being fast to a concentrically disposed bevel gear 14C, which meshes with a bevel pinion 14b on a counter shaft 14 suitably journaled on the mainframe, and provided with a pulley 14d which can be belted to any suitable driver, so as to rotate the gear let more rapidly than shaft 1.

`Within the spindle 11 is an ejector-rod 15, the lower end 15a of which is slightly reduced in diameter and fitted easily within the cylindrical bore of the tapered shank of the saw. Above the upper end of the saw, the ejector-rod is shouldered as at 15". The

ejector-rod projects above the spindle and pinion, and has a rounded upper end 15 which is adapted to travel beneath a camplate 16 attached to the frame abovejthe cut ters, and in the path circumscribed by the upper ends of the ejectrs, and is provided at the proper point with a cam-portion 16a, which causes the ejectors to move` down and eject the button-blank from the saw, as indicated in Fig. t). rlhe ejector rods however are normally pressed upward by means of lhelical springs 15d interposed between their enlarged upper ends and the upper ends of the spindles. rllhe ejector rods are also utilized to throwjout the saws when it is desired to renew or replace them; to do which a cam 16e may be attached to the cam-plate 16, at the proper point, and as the cutter moves thereunder, the cam 1Ge depresses the ejector so far that its shoulder 15b strikes the inner end of the saw and forces it down nand out, see lFig. 10. 4Thus all the saws may be removed and replaced during one rotation of shaft 1, the cam lte'being thrown out of action as soon as the desired saws are ejected. -The ejectors are also utilized as part of the means for wetting the saws, and for this purpose they arev provided with a waterchannel l5e leading from a ni ple 15, attached to the upper end thereo as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 6, down to an outlet-port lf, in the side of part 15a of the lower end of the ejector. l

The nipple 15h is connected by a tube 17 to a nipple 17a attached to a water-chamber 17b in the hub of disk 4, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, said water-chamber 17b communicating with a water supply pipe 17e, by means of a bore 17c in the upper part of shaft l, connected by means of a rotatable stuling-box 17d with pi e 17e. By this means, water can be continua ly supplied to the ejector during its travel. As it is only necessary or desirable to supply the water to the saw during the cutting operations, the ejector outlet port 15f is so located that it is normally closed, while the ejector is in elevated position, by the bore of the saw shank into which it fits; but just as or before the cutting operation begins, the ejector is partly depressed, by coming in contact with cam 16, so that port 15f is uncovered, and water immediately flows into the saw, and continues to iow thereto during the cutting operation, See Fig. 9, supplying the water to the interior of the saw where it is most desirable to have it. The cam 16 is so proportioned that the ejector remains depressed during the entire cutting operation, and until after the blank isv ejected, whereupon the ejector springs upward, and the flow of water is cut o The parts are so constructed and relatively l located that the saw and clamp are separated, after the blank is cut, and when the clamp is'fully lowered the saw passes over the mouth of a small chute 18and at this time the ejector push s the blank from the saw, and it drops intothe chute and is delivered into any suitable receptacle. Below the shell-holders, and su ported on the disk 3, as shown, is a broad Sart-flange 3m upon which the shell waste is drop ed, and carried around until it is .swept o the flange by a blade 3, located` at' a suitable point to direct the waste into a suitable receiver.

Operation: The operation of the machine will be clearly understood from the foregoing; but is briey summarized as follows.-

The operator with a supply'of uncut shells, stands or sits beside the machine at the point where the saws and holders are fully separated. As each holder comes up, the operator raises the clamp with one hand and places a shell on thebearing-member, and lowers the clamp thereon upon the part of the shell from which a blank is to be cut; the clamp strikes the pearl and comparatively flat side of the shell, while the convex Side thereof 'rests on` the bearing-member which automatically adjusts itself to the curvature of the shell, and keeps its up er surface in close contact with the lower e ge of the clamp-member, and practically perpendicular to the plane of the saw, no matter what the inclination of the under surface of the shell may be. All this is accomplished almost instantaneously, so that the movement of the parts is not retarded. The shell holder and shell move on, and are lifted by the cams, so as to bring the shell to the saw, which is rotated at a high speed, the saw working within the clamp-member which forms a saw guard and guide, so that the operator is not botheredby flying particles of shell.

On the upward movement of the holder the spring causes it to clamp the shell so forcibly that it will not be displaced by the action of the saw. As or before the saw contacts with the shell, the water is admitted into the saw, so that the cutting is effected with the least injury to the shell or saw; the cutting taking place as the holder and saw travel. When the blank is cut from the shell; the holder and saw are separated; then the blank is ejected from the saw into the chute, and the water cut olf; and the parts travel on to the operator who readjusts the shell for another cut; or removes it if fully cut, and puts in a fresh-shell. In the machine shown, a number of shells can be operated upon simultaneously. The shellholder may be opened and closed either by raising and lowerin the clamp-member or by lowering and raising the bearing-member, as is obvious. I prefer to raise and lower the clamp-member, and when thus using it the bearlng-member can remain in its elevated position; and in such case if the operatordesires to stop thecutting operation on any shellV without stopping the machine he could do so by lowering the bearingmember on which such was supported. A

cup 11 may be attached to the upper end of spindle 11, to catch any water which might overflow upwardly between the spindle and ejector vrod during the time port 15 is opened, and the amount of water supplied to each saw can be regulated by a valve of any suitable construction arranged in the length of pipe 17 as indicated at 17 in the drawings.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A shell-holder comprising a tubular clamp-member, and a self-adjusting tiltablc bearing-member between which members the shell is held.

2. A shell-holder for button blank cutting machines, comprisin a self-adjusting oscillating-member, ang an opposed tubular member.

3. A shell-holder for button blank cutting machines, consisting of a universally tiltable eimer bearing-member adapted to adjust itself to the exterior contour of the shell; and a tubular clainp-member adapted to engage the inner surface of the shell and press the shell securely against the bearing-member.

4. shell-holder comprising an annular clamping-members-serrated on its biting edge-, and a tiltable bearing-member selfadjusting to inequalities of the shell, between which members the shell is clamped; means for separating said members, and means for normally closing them, substantially as described.

5. In combination, a cutting tool, a movable support, a self-adjusting bearinganember lmounted on the support, devices for raising and lowering the support, and a clamp-meniber movable to andV from the bearing-member independently of the support and also movable with the support, means for moving the support toward the tool and means for increasing the bite of the clamping-ineinber as the support is moved.

6. In a button cutting machine, a shellholder, comprising a tiltable bearing-member, means whereby the member is raised and lowered, a clamp-member movable with and also to and from the bearing-member, and means for separating the members.

7 In a button cutting machine, a workholder, comprising a tiltable bearing-member, a cylinder supporting said member, and means for lowering and raising said cylinder; with a clamp-member movable with and also to and from the bearing-member.

8. A work-holder comprising a support, a revoluble cylinder thereon, cam devices whereby the Vcylinder is raised and lowered as rotated, a bearing-member supported by tlie cylinder, and a clamp-member movable to and from the bearing-member.

9. In a button cutting machine, the combination of a movable support, a revoluble cylinder thereon, cam devices for raising or lowering the cylinder as it is turned, a bearing-member mounted on the cylinder, and a clamp-member movable to and from the bearing member independently of the support and also movable with the support.

10. In a button blank cutting machine, the combination of a saw, a shell-holder in axial alinement therewith, comprising a clampmember and an opposed co-actiiig self-ach justing tiltable member engaging the back of the shell, means for causing said members to hold the shell', and means for causing the saw to. operate on the shell while held by said holder.

l11. In a button cutting machine, the combination of a saw, a shell-holder comprising a clampmember adapted to hold the face of the shell in a plane perpendicular to the saw, and a yieldable self-adjusting bearing-inem- `loer engaging the back of the shell, means for opening and closing the holder, and

means for causing the saw to operate on the workwhile held by said holder.

12. In a button cutting machine, the cornbination of a saw, a shell-holder comprising a self-adjusting bearingniember adapted to contact the exterior of the shell, a tubular clamping-member adapted to engage the interior of the shell and press it against the bearing-member, means for opening and closing the holder, and means for moving the holder to and from the saw.

13. In a button cutting machine, the combination of a rotary spindle, a saw carried thereby, and a shell'holder opposite the saw spindle; with means for moving the holder toward the saw to enable it to cut blanks from the shell; means for increasing the bite of the holder on the shell as it reaches the saw, and means for supplying water to the interior of the saw during the cutting operations.

14. The combination of a shell-holder comprising an adjustable bearing-member and a clamping member movable to and from the bearing-member and adapted to clamp the work thereagainst, and means for moving the holder bodily; with a saw in axial alinement with the work-holder, means for causing the saw to operate upon the shell presented thereto by said holder, and means for supplying water.internally to the saw during the cutting operation.

15. In a button blank cutting machine, the combination of a traveling series of shellholders, each comprising a self-adjusting bearing-member and a clamping-member adapted to retain a shell; a similar series of rotatable tools opposite and traveling wit-h the series of shell-holders, means Jfor causing the tools to operate on the shells during part of their travel,'and to-separate therefrom during the remainder of their travel; with means :tor supplying water internally to the saws during the cutting operation, and for ejecting the blank from the saws after the cutting operation, substantially as described.

16. In a button blank cutting machine, the combination of a traveling series of shellholders, each comprising a self-adjusting bearing-member and a tubular clampingmember adapted to ret-ain a shell; and a similar series of rotatable saws opposite and traveling with the series of shell-holders; with means for moving the sliell-holders to present the shells to the saws during part of their travel, and to separate therefrom during the remainder of their travel; means for supplying water. internally to the saws during the cutting operation, and means for ejecting t-he blank from the saws after the cutting operation, substantially as described.

17. In a button cutting machine, the combination of a series of movable rods, a shellholder carried by each rod comprising a selfadjusting bearing member and a spring pressed-clamp-member; a series of rotatable l detachably attached thereto, a blank ejecting saws opposite the shell-holders and traveling therewith, means for rotating said saws during their travel, and cams for causing the shell-holders to present the shells to the saws during part of their travel.

18. In a button cutting machine, the combination of a pair of rotatable disks, a series of movable rods carried by said disks, a shell-holder carried by each rod comprising a selfadjusting bearing member and a spring-pressed clamp-member; with a series of rotatable saws mounted on one disk opposite the shell-holder and traveling tlierewith, means for rotating said saws during their travel, and cams for causing the shellholders to resent the shells to the saws during part o their travel.

19. In a button cutting machine, the combination of a series of movable rods, a shellholder carried by each rod comprising a selfadjusting bearingmember and a springpressed clamp-member, a series of rotatable saws opposite the shell-holders and traveling therewith, means for rotating said saws during their travel, andcams for causing the shell-holders to present the shells to the saws duringpart of their travel; with means for introducing water into the saws during the cutting operations, and means'for ejecting blanks from the .saws after the cutting operations, substantially as and for the purpose described.

20. In a button cutting machine, the combination of a rotary tubular saw, a tube in said saw ad-apted to supply water to the interior of the saw, and a cam for automatically shifting the tube to admit water during the cutting operation, and to shut it oil after such operation.

21. In a button cutting machine, the combination of a rotary tubular saw, a hollow rod in said saw adapted to conduct water to the interior of the saw, means for suppl ing water to said rod, and means for shi ting the rod so as to closev and open the water outlet.

22. In combination, a rotary tubular saw, a blank ejecting rod, and means for actuating said rod toeject the blank from the saw after the cutting operation; with a water supply connected to said ejector rod whereby water is admitted to the saw during the cutting o eration; said water supply being controlle by the movements ofthe rod. 23. In combination, a tubular saw, a hollow ejector rod, a water supply connected with said rod, means for moving the rod so as to admit water into the saw during the cutting operation, and to eject the blank from the saw after the cutting operation, and to cut oitI the flow of water after the ej ecting operation.

24. In a button cuttingmachine, the combination of a rotary spindle, a tubular saw rod in said spindle, and means for actuating said rod to eject the blanks after the cutting operation; with a water supply connected to said ejector rod, whereby water is admitted to the saw during the cutting operation; said water supply being controlled by the longitudinal movement of the said rod, substantially as described.

25. In a button cutting machine, the combination of an adjustable sleeve, a rotatable spindle j ournaled therein, a tubular saw connected to said spindle, a hollow ejector rod in said spindle, a: water supply connected withsaid rod, means for moving the rod so as to admit water into the saw during the cutting operation and to eject the blank from the saw after the cutting operation, and to cut oiia the flow of water after the ejecting operation, substantially as described.

26. In combination, a rotary spindle, a tubular saw cletachably fitted to the end of said spindle, an ejector rod in said spindle adapted to eject blanks therefrom and whereby the saw may be ejected from the spindle by an excessive movement of the ejector.

27. In a button cutting machine the combination of a rotary spindle, a tubular saw having a shank fitted into the end of said spindle, an ejector rod in said spindle adapted to eject blanks therefrom and having a shoulder above the saw shank, whereby the saw may be ejected from the spindle by an excessive movement of the ejector.

28. In combination, a rotary spindle, a tubular saw fitted in the end of said spindle, a hollow ejector rod in said spindle provided with an outlet port in its lower end closed when the rod is in retracted position, a water supply connected with said ejector rod; and means for actuating said rod at the proper times so as to open or close the outlet port; or to eject the blanks from the saw; or, by a further ejecting movement of the rod to force the saw from the spindle. 29. In a button cutting machine, the combination of a rotary spindle, a tubular saw fitted in the end of said spindle, a hollow ejector rod in said spindle provided with an outlet port in its lower end, closed when the rod is in highest position, a water supply connected with said ejector rod; and means for actuating said rod so as to open or close the outlet port; or to eject a blank from the saw; or to force the saw from the spindle, substantially as described.

30. In a button cutting machine, the combination of a rotary spindle, a tubular saw having a tapered shank, with a contracted bore tted in the end of said spindle, a hollow ejector rod in said spindle provided with an outlet port in its lower end, closed by the bore of the saw when the rod is in highest position, a water supply connected with said ejector rod; 'and means for actuating said rod so as to open or close the outlet port; or to eject a blank from the saw; or by a further ejecting movement of the rod to force the saw from the spindle, substantially as described.

31. A shell-holder for button blank cutting machines, comprising a tubular clampmember, and an opposed tiltable bearingmember between which members the shell is held, a support for the bearing member, and ball bearings supporting said bearing-meld ber on said support.

32. A shell-holder for button blank cutting machines, comprising an annular serrated clamp-member, an opposed tiltable bearingmember between which members the shell is held, a support for the bearing member, and ball-bearings sustaining said bearing-member on its support; with means for normally closing said members, and means for separating them, substantially as described.

33. In a button cutting machine, a workholder comprising a tiltable self-adjustable bearing-member, a support therefor, cam devices for raising and lowering said support, a clamp-member also mounted on said support and movable to and from and with the bearingmember, and manually operated means for separating the said members.

34:. In a button cutting machine, a workholder comprising a tiltable self-adjusting bearing-member, a support therefor, cam devices for raising and lowering said support, a clamp-member on said support and movable to and from and with the bearing-member, manually operated means for separating the members,.and means for increasing the bite of the clamping-member on the bearing-member as the support is raised.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOI-IN W. MILLER.

In presence of EDWARD SHIELDS, FRED A. lDnUfrsoI-IMAN. 

